Parking meter



Feb. 12, 1946. E. KRAMER 2,394,554

PARKING METER Filed Feb. 7, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l BY 5w 141 m ATTO RN EY5 Feb. 12, 1946. E. KRAMER PARKING METER Filed Feb. 7, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR flaw:

z ATTORNEYS Feb. 12,1946. E. KRAMER 2,394,554

PARKING METER Filed Feb. 7, 1942 5 Shee ts-Sheet 3 I I munhn I 1 fl77///////// \NVENTOR 045,145 flame? BY ATTORN EYS Feb. 12,1946. KRAMER 2,394,554

PARKI NG METER Filed Feb. 7, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4' Q Qv 405 INVENTOR 2165: Afiumw ATTORN 5 Feb. 12, 1946. KRAMER 2,394,554

PARKING METER INVENTOR fagf/ie/fim/v 3 BY 75% ATTORN EYS Patented Feb. 12, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ma ma mam Eugene Kramer, mm, at. Island, a. Y. Application February '2, 1942, Serial No. 429.858

' 1: Claims. (Cl. 194-43) The present invention relates to coin controlled elapsed-time indicating devices and as herein shown the invention is appropriately embodied in a coin actuated parking meter.,

It is a principal obiectof the invention to of Figure 11;

provide a parking meter automatically set in operation by the deposit of either of two coins I of different value, the construction being such that the coin of the smaller value, such for example as a penny, will set the mechanism to operate a signal over a relatively short elapsedtime interval, and a coin of larger denomination,

such for example as a nickel, will set the mechanism to operate the signal over a relatively longer elapsed-time interval. The invention consists in the mechanism for accomplishing this result, which is particularly adapted to indicate Figure 3 is a rear view of the casing of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the lower left hand portion of the meter casing:

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale showing the interior of the meter of Figure 1 as it would appear with the right hand face of the casing removed;

Figure 6 is a similar but fragmentary view showing certain of the parts of Fi re 5 in a different position:

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing certain of the parts thereof in different positions;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5, the view being a vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 14 and showing the parts included in Figure 5 as they would appear with the first interior plate removed;

Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 8 but showing the reverse side face thereof;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on a portion of the. line I5--i5 of Figure 14 and showing the coin divertin lever in non-coin diverting position;

' Figure 11 is a view similar to Fi ure 5 but showing the parts thereof in different positions:

Figure 12 is a vertical transverse sectional vi w taken on'iine-l2-i2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken on line iS-II of Figure 5;

Figure 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line l5-Il of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view of the declutching gear actuatin lever; and.

, Figure 17 is a similar view of the same lever in a different position.

Referring in detail to the accompanying draw-' lugs, and particularly to Figures 1 to 4, a parking meter casing II is mounted on a post or standard 23, the front face of which, as shown in Figure 2, is provided with a coin slot 25 and a window 21 through which is visible a time scale, herein shown as being a sliding vertical scale with time markings thereon, shown as comprising minute markings reading,- vertically from top to bottom, from zero to -60 minutes.

As will be hereinafter described, in the present example, this full scalenis disclosed to view automatically upon the deposit into the meter of the coin of larger denomination, herein exemplified as a nickel, and as time elapses a cover or red flag is moved over the scale from the bottom up'so that the exposed portion of the scale in connection with the figures thereon indicates at any moment the lawful time remaining to the purchaser of the parking space within which his car may lawfully remain there. At the right hand side ofthe casing of Figure 2 there is a coin disclosing window 3i asshown in Figure 1. I

At the rear of the casing of Figure 3, a second window 33 is provided through which there is disclosed a vertical minute scale similar to that diselosed in the front of the casing as shown at 21 in Figure 2. Thus the lawful time remaining to the purchaser of the parking space not only may be seen from the front, for example by the motorist himself and the ofiicer checking overtime parkers, but also may be seen from the sidewalk by passers-by and local merchants who have an interest in seeing to it that the $5 lawful parking time limit is enforced.

the proper key.

I The meter casing ii is preferably provided with a hinged top 40 to permit access to the interior of the meter, this top being normally locked in closed position as shown in Figure 14. As here indicated the underside of the top furthest from the hinge is provided with a bracket 42 held down by the hook 43 of a lever 44 pivoted at 45 -to a bracket arm 48 extending inwardly from the casing wall. The lever 44 has a spring pressed Figure 14 is a vertical transverse sectional arm 41 under constant thrust of a coil spring" under compression and bearing at one end against the casing and at the other end against the lever arm 41 and thereby having the constant tendency to force the hook 8 into top locking position. The lever 44 also has the arm II from which depends the unlocking rod 52 whose lower end is herein shown as being formed as a ring and extending far enough downwardly within the casing to lie opposite the casing door 31. Thus, when the door 31 is unlocked, and only when it is unlocked, the top may be unlatched and opened.

Referring now to Figures and 11, there is here shown the mechanism of the interior of the casing as it would appear from the right side thereof with the right hand side face (Figure 1) of the casing removed. Within this space is the first mounting plate 60 upon which is pivotally mounted at ii the purchase-time control lever 63, constantly urged counter-clockwise about its pivot by a coil spring 84 under tension and having one end secured to a pin in the mounting plate 60 and the other end secured to a pin in the lever l3. Movement of the time control lever 63 is limited by a stop pin 68 fixed in the lower right hand arm of the lever and working in an arcuate limited slot I1 provided for it in the mounting plate 60. The in 88 projects not only into the slot 81 but therethrough and beyond the plate ill into coin chute 80 in position to be operated by the coin of larger denomination, herein exemplified by a nickel, as will appear.

Above the pin 86, lever 88 is provided with a projecting locking lug ill for cooperation with the hooked end 69 of a locking lever pivoted at H on the plate 60. In the position of Figure 5 the hook I! at the free end of this locking lever rests by gravity on the lug ll and,the construction is such that when the lever 68 with its 111: 68 is moved clockwise as hereinafter described the hook 89 of lever 10 drops down into the position shown in Figure 7, thus maintaining the control lever 63 in its left hand position until the locking lever 10 is raised again to its upper position.

The control lever 63 is provided at its upper portion with a substantially horizontally extending cam arm which is fixed with respect to the control lever 63 and carries at its free end a small cam l1 whose highest cam surface is at the top of arm 15 and whose lowest cam surface at the bottom thereof. The cam arm II and its cam are provided to control the position of a coin diverting lever 80, which as a whole is generaly U-shaped and has a vertical pivot pin Ii extending through both arms, thus mounting the coin diverting lever pivotally so that its upper coin diverting arm 83 can swing into and out of the coin slot passage 90. A coil spring 8! surrounds the pivot pin and bears at one end against the coin diverting lever and at the other end against the mounting plate ll, thereby constantly urging the coin diverting arm 08 into the coin slot 80 in coin diverting position. In the position of the parts shown in Figure 5. however, where the control lever 63 is in its right hand position, the cam arm 75 is in its lower position, so that the cam 11 acting on the lower or cam arm 84 of the coin diverter is moved into its position away from mounting plate II and consequently has carried with it in the same direction the coin diverting arm 83, this movement being sufilcient to bring coin diverting arm ll out of the coin'slot 80 into non-coin-diverting position, as indicated in the horizontal view thereof shown in Figure 1 has a downwardly extending time control arm escapee whentheoontrolleverltisrockedtothe however,camarm1lismovedupwardly with cam surface 'Il, whereupon the coil spring aroimdpivotpinllforcestheooindiverting ll intoeoindivertingpoaitioninthecoin ll,-aa shown inthe upper part ofthe secti view, Figure 12.

Referring again tothe time control lever 88,

provided with an arcuate holding surface 0. terminating in a shoulder 01. An arcuate slot ll is provided in the mounting plate I through which projects a pin Ill carried by the tooth portion III of a gear segment ill, the teeth of which are provided only throughout about one-third of its circumference. This gear is pivotally mounted in the plate ll at Ill and has a movement suchthatthepin lllfixedtoitcanunderthe conditions hereinafter described move from the position of Figure 5 to the position of Figure 11 and back again. Downward movunent of the pin lliis causedbythe slow, even driving of the gear teeth Ill through a clock mechanism, and the relatively rapid upward movement of the pintoitspoeitioninl'lgurelliscausedbythe relatively rapid d ppi by gravity of the Mmeiapse indicating scale cover or red flag traveling over the time scale visible through the front window 21 of the casing.

Referring now particularb to lflgure 8, which shows the mounting plate 8| removed to disclose the mechanism behind it, the pin I is here shown in its upper position. Fixed to the seamental gear I", and in the position of Figure 8 extending downwardly therefrom, is an arm I" whose outer end is connected by a link I II to the upper end of a cover slide or red flag H2 movable vertically over the vertical time scale I II. In the arcuate movement clockwise of gear segment III caused by its gear teeth being slowly and evenly driven by the clock mechanism. the arm I" is moved angularly from the full line position of Figure 8 to the dotted line position thereof, slowly thrusting up with it during this movement the link III which moves the scale cover or red flag ii! alowlyup from the bottom to the top of the time-lapse scale Ill. Thus the further the gear segment ill is driven by the clock mechanism once it has been set in motion. the less of the time-lapse scale, from top to bottom, will be exposed to view, thereby indicating, with lapse of time, the constantly decreasing lawful remainder of the purchased parking period.

The time scale III at the rear of the casing and visible through the window it is simultaneously and correspondingly covered from the bottomupinasimilarmannerbyitsowntime scale cover or red flag I", which, as viewed in Figure 11, is moved slowly upwardly by the right hand arm III of a lifting lever Ill pivoted at ill on mounting plate ll, whose other lever arm III extends into the downward path of travel of the pin Ill, so that as the pin moves downwardly it moves arm III downwardly thus gradually causingthe riseofthescale coverorredflag Ill over the rear time scale ill.

The arrangement is such that, upon deposit of a nickel. the mechanism will rotate the gear segment llitherequiredarcorportionofa revolution to bring the two cover plates or red flags from the bottoms to the tops of their respeotive scales and leave them there until another coin is deposited in the casing coin slot. It is for thew mpfaccomplishingthislimitedmovementthatthegearteeth Ill areprovidedonly throughout part of the periphery of the gear seg-. ment I88, and the teeth are so p sitioned that they cease at that point of the periphery of the segment that arrivesat the driving connector gear at the time the two cover plates or red flags have reached their uppermost positions. At this point though the clock continues to rotate the connector gear, it can rotate the gear segment no further.

For the purpose of connecting the gear segment I08 to and disconnecting it from the clock drive, the connector gear I28 (Figure 9) is provided, which turns freely on a pin carried by a lever I28 pivoted at I 2! between the first mounting plate 80 of Figure 11 and the second mounting plate I28 of I'Igure 8. A clock driven spur gear I80 fixed on clock drive shaft I8I is located next to and adjacent the upper peripheral portion of gear segment I08, and the connector gear I26 in its lower position meshes with both the spur gear I30 and the teeth IOI of gear segment I03. In this position of the parts the gear segment I08 is thereby driven by the clock actuated shaft I8I of Figure 14. The remainder of the clock mechanism itself is not herein shown, since the clock mechanism required here need have no novelty so far as the present invention is concerned and since it is common to use clock mechanisms in this art. The clock casing, however, is shown at I32.

The coin chute or passage 80 is located between the two closely adjacent mounting plates 60 and I28 (Figures 14 and 15). Its direction is shown in dotted lines in Figures and 11 and in full lines in Figure 8. From the coin slot entrance 25 (Figures 2 and 8) the coin chute or passage extends inwardly of the casing and downwardly past the coin diverting lever 83 and towards the rear of the casing, thence downwardly, and thence to the left as viewed in Figure 8, having its exit I34 over the coin receiving box or drawer I35.

In the course of its travel down the vertical portion of the coin chute or passage 90, the coin sets the meter-in operation.

The mechanism by which this is accomplished is as follows. Referring particularly to Figures 8, 9 and 12, on the reverse face of the mounting plate I 28 opposite the coin passage, there is mounted a horizontal rock shaft I40 which carries three downwardly extending arms I4I, I42 and I43. The arm MI is the rock shaft actuating arm and is fixed to the shaft I40 and extends through an opening I46 in mounting plate I 28 into the vertical portion of the coin chute or passage 90 (see Figure 12). The arm I H extends all the way across the width of the coin passage,

tion of the rock shaft actuating arm I4I towards the mounting plate I28 and against the action of a small coil spring I48 having one end fast to the rock shaft and the other end fixed to mounting plate I28, for the purpose of constantly urging the actuating arm I4I into the coinslot and thereby into the path of any coin traveling downwardly therein. This rocking of the shaft I40 will be caused in the present example whether the coin is a penny or a nickel.

The arm I42 is likewise fixed to the rock shaft and at its lower end carries a coin supporting shoulder extending into the coin passage exit I34. This support i arranged to support a coin directly opposite the window 3| (Figure 1) in the meter casing. Assuming a coin is thereby supported opposite the coin window it will be evident that travel through the vertical ofth'ecoinpassage llpastthesetusting I, will cause rocking of the shaft I48 thereby move the coin support I48 out of the passage in the same direction that the actua arm I moves out of it, so that the coin that has been resting on the support I48 falls by gravity through the coin passage exit I84 into the coin box I83. The moment the down coming coin passes beyond the actuating arm I4I, however, this arm is returned by spring I48 to its former and normal position within the coin passage and the coin support I48 is thereby'returned to its coin supporting position above the coin exit I84, in position to support and retain opposite the coin window the oncoming coin that has just left the actuating arm I4I.v In this way the latest coin to set the meter in operation is held opposite-the coin window and is thereby exposed to view. It will be noted that the lowermost part of support I43 slants outwardly and downwardly, as shown in Figure 14. Thus, as the coin leaves the support, its weight cams the support to the right. thus aiding the actuating arm I in rocking the rock shaft I40 in the direction to cause lifting of the connector gear.

The third arm I48 is mounted for limited rocking movement on the rock shaft I40 by means of its hub I6I which has fixed therein a short horizontally extending projecting pin I82 (Figure 16) which lies within a notch I64 provided in the upper portion of a collar I88 fixed to the rock shaft I40. I

The arm I48 is a cam arm whose function is to raise and lower the pivoted arm I28 carrying the connector gear, (Figure 8) to connect the clock drive to and disconnect it from the gear segment I08 as above described. For this purpose the. cam arm I43 is provided at its lower end with the cam notch I68 which receives within it the free outer end of connector-gear carryingarm I28. Referring particularly to Figures 16 and 17 it will be evident that when the cam arm I43 rocks in a counter-clockwise direction asviewed in these figures, the connector gear carrying arm I26 will be lifted as shown in Figure 17 and as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 8, and when the cam arm I48 rocks clockwise again the clutch gearcarrying arm I26 will be returned to its lower or gear engaging driving position. Locking shoulder I58 positively holds the connector gear in mesh, as shown in Figure 16, when the arm I26 is down.

The cam arm I43 is normally urged into the position of Figure 16, which is the clock driving position of the parts, by one vertical arm I62 (Figure 9) of a U-shaped cam positioner and fiag support I63 (Figure 9) which is rockably mounted on mounting plate I28 by means of a short horizontal pin, surrounding which is a coil spring I65, one end of which bears against the mounting plate I28 and the other end of which bears against the cam positloner and flag support I63 and whose function is to urge the cam positioning arm I62 and the flag supporting arm I64 constantly towards the mounting plate I28. As shown in Figure 9, arm I62 bears against cam arm I43, thereby urging it constantly into position of Figure 16.

When the cam arm I43 is rocked to the position of Figure 17 by the passage of a coin past actuating arm I4I as heretofore described, cam positioning arm I62 and flag supporting arm I64 are forced away from mounting plate I28 by the cam arm I43, and are returned toward the plate the by spring I" as soon as the downwardly traveling coin has passed beyond actuating arm Ill.

The fill! supporting arm I (Figure 8) carries at its upper vertical edge nearest mounting plate Ill a roughened surface which may consist of a series of teeth or notches I". The signal or flag lifting arm I is provided with a lug I (Figures 8 and 18) which, when the arm I reaches its upper position and the time scale cover or flag II! has consequently reached its upper position, will ride into engagement with the roughened or toothed upper edge I" of arm I as shown in Figure 5, whereby the scale cover or flag III willbemaintainedinsteadystaticnary upper position at the zero line of the time scale. This arrangement eifectively prevents any slight movement of the scale that might otherwise occur due to the fact that in this podtion of the parts the clutch gear III has reached the end of the teeth Ill but is still rotating due to being constantly driven by the clock mechanism.

Referring now particularly to Figure 14, an opening I'll is provided in the mounting plate I" directly opposite the coin diverting arm '8 and this opening leads to a coin by-passing passage I11 which extends generally downwardly and has its exit I" over the open top of the coin drawer I".

It will be understood that in the present embodiment of the invention the parts are shown as being so set and arranged that a nickel will purchase 80 minutes parking time and a penny will purchase a shorter time such for example as 12 minutes, the operation of the mechanism being as hereinafter described. It is desirable however that if a nickel's worth of time has been purchased, a nickel show in the coin window SI and if a pennys worth of time has been purchased, a penny show in the coin window 3|. It will be evident that if a nickels worth of time has been purchased, as long as there is more than the short period (here 12 minutes) indicated on the time scale as the purchased time remaining, it would be undesirable to have a penny travel down the coin chute as and displace the nickel opposite the coin window. The function of the coin diverter and coin by-pass chute H2 is to prevent this occurring. It willbe evident however that diverted pennies instead of being delivered into the coin box as here shown could as well be delivered to a coin support freely accessible from the exterior of the casing if it should be desired to provide for the refunding of such diverted pennies, since they purchase nothing. On the other hand if the flag and time scale indicate that there is less than 12 minutes time remaining which condition will exist eventually whether the latest coin deposited was a nickel or penny, then if the next purchaser deposits a penny it should reset the flag for the full 12 minute short period and displace the preceding visible coin regardless of its denomination. This will be accomplished since at such time coin diverter 83 is held out of penny diverting position by cam arm I5.

Referring now to the operation of the meter, it will be understood that normally the cover or flag H2 is at its top position as shown in Figure 5, covering up to the zero mark the time scale that would otherwise be visible through front window 21, and that sliding cover or flag H1 is normally at its uppermost position completely covering to the zero mark the time scale H5 that would otherwise be visible through rear window 33. All the parts are then in the position of Figure 5 and the connector gear I2! is being rotated the rocking of the cam lever I I! from the position of Figure 16 to the position of Figure 17, thereby lifting the clutch gear I?! out of engagement with both the clock drive gear III and the gear segment teeth Ill. Moreover, this movement of the cam lever I has rocked arms I82 and I away from the mounting plate I :s, so that the sliding cover or flag H2 is no longer held stationary in uppermost position by the teeth I". with the connector gear III lifted, the weight of the sliding cover or flag 2 causes it to drop down- 4 wardly to its lowermost position shown in Figure 8. As it travels down it rocks the arm Ill from the position of Figure 5 to the position of Figure 8, which brings the gear teeth Ill from the position of Figure 5 to the position of Figure 8. At the same time this movement or the gear segment brings pin I" from the position of Figure 5 to the position of Figure 8, and it may be noted that, as shown in Figure '7, in this upward movement of pin I00, it clears the shoulder '1 on lever 83. As a result of this upward movement of pin I", which had been holding sliding cover or flag ill in its upper position, this flag drops also by gravity to its lowermost position. Arrival of pin ill! to the upper position of Figure 8 brings it into contact with rocking lever 10 as shown in Figure 11, and it lifts this lever enough to disengage its hook is from the lug 68 on lever 61, whereupon spring 65 restores lever 53 to its normal position toward the right as viewed in Figure 5, with the pin 66 once more extending into the vertical portion of the coin chute.

As the deposited nickel drops below the bottom of lever Ill, this lever is restored to its former position, projecting into the coin passage, by spring (Figure 12), and the accompanying movement of the rock shaft I40 restores coin supporting shoulder I49 to coin supporting position within the coin passage in readiness to receive, stop, and support the oncoming nickel by the time it arrives there. Furthermore, this restoration of the rock shaft causes pin I52 (Figure 16) to return to its own normal position, and spring I85 (Figure 9) restores arms (52 and I to their former positions, arm I52 thereby restoring cam lever I" from the posipassed below shoulder 01. whereupon spring 04 moves time control lever 08 to its furthest posi-.

tion of Figure l! to the position of Figure 16. This results in lowering of the clutch gear lever I26 to and looking it in the full line position of Figure 8, where its connector gear I20 again engages both the clock drive gear I80 and the teeth IOI of gear segment I08. At this time, however, the gear segment I08 is in the position shown in Figure 8, so that the running of the clock immediately begins to result in slow rotation of the gear segment I08 clockwise as viewed in Figure 8. The arm I00 therefore commences slowly and evenly to move the cover of the time scale from the bottom upwardly, and pin I00 bears, as shown in Figure 11, on arm iii and gradually moves this arm downwardly. thereby resulting in the accompanying lifting of the sliding cover or flag I ll so that it commences to cover up its time scale I I! from the bottom up. Inspection of either time scale at any moment discloses what interval lawfully remains of the parking period purchased by the nickel.

The time scale covers or flags will continue to rise until they arrive in their uppermost position unless before that time another coin is deposited in the coin slot. If the time scale covers or signal flags are permitted to continue to rise to their uppermost positions, flag III will be held in its top position by pin I00 and cover signal or flag II! will be held stationary in its uppermost position by teeth I81 on arm I08 as already described.

If during this 60 minute period another nickel is deposited in the slot, the same operations will occur as just described, the difference being that the cover signals or flags do not drop from their uppermost positions but from somewhere between their upper and lower positions.

It is important to note that arrival of pin I00 in its uppermost position lifts hook lever 10, but from an inspection of Figure 6 it will be seen that the iurthermost position of time control lever 63 to the right cannot be reached until pin I00 has moved oil! the curved portion 96 of the lever 63 and has passed below the shoulder 91 thereof as shown in Figure 6. The construction is such that this occurs at the moment the sliding cover or flagcovers all of the time scale except that period purchasable by the coin of smaller denomination, in the present example a penny, that purchases 1 minutes parking time.

Thus, during the first 48 minutes, time control lever 63 has not reached its full line position towards the right as viewed in Figure 5. This means that cam lever has not reached its fully lowered position. Consequently the high portion of its cam 'II has not commenced to move lever arm 04 toward the observer viewing Figure 5, so that coin diverting arm 83 is during all of this 48 minute period in coin diverting position within the coin chute 90. The opening I10 into the coin diverting chute I12 is too small for a nickel to go through it, but if during the flrst 48 minutes of a flve cent parking time purchase, a penny is deposited in slot 25, it will be diverted into by-pass coin passage I12 (see Figure 14) and either be refunded to the depositor or as here shown will be delivered'to the coin box. This operation, however, has not removed the deposited nickel from ts position.

on support I48 opposite viewing window 8|, so that the correct coin will continue to show for the parking time indicated.

When however there is 12 minutes time left of the purchased period, the pin I00 will have tion to the right as viewed in Figure 5. This additional movement of time control lever 08 causes an accompanying downward movement of cam arm ll, whereby cam ll rocks arm 80 toward the observer viewing Figure 5, and consequently moves coin diverting arm 83 out of coin diverting position within the coin chute 00.

Therefore, if at any moment from this point on in the upward travel of the cover or flag signal,

a penny is deposited, it will not be diverted into the by-pass chute I'll but will proceed along the normal coin path of chute 00, and set the mechanism for the full short period of i2 minutes. I

It is important to note that in this position of the parts, the shoulder 01 ,on time control arm 08 lies above and in the path of upward travel of pin I00 on the gear segment.

The diameter of the penny is enough less than that of the nickel so that it down the coin chute 80 beyond the actuating arm Ill without moving pin 60 on the time control arm at all. The penny does, however, rock the actuating arm Ill and thereby the rock shaft I40, which, as before, lifts the connector gear I20, at the same time permitting the sliding covers or flags to begin'dropping downwardly as described. Their I drop is brought up short, however, the moment pin I00 hits the shoulder 01, as shown in Figure 6, and, as above indicated, this occurs when the covers orflags have dropped enough to disclose the shorter purchase period, in this instance 12 minutes. arm III results in restoring the clock drive as before described, and the covers or flags then begin their driven upper movement as before, the only difference being that they have a shorter distance to travel to reach the top.

Rocking of actuating arm Ill by the penny rocks support I48 that had been holding the preceding coin before the coin window, causing that coin to drop into the coin box. When the penny passes the bottom of actuating arm Ill, however, that arm is spring restored to its former position, and so is the support I49 restored to its former position, and in time to stop and support the penny when it arrives there and hold it in viewable position opposite the coinwindow.

It will be observed that during the upward travel of the covers or flags over the last or top 12 minute period, time control lever 63 is at its extreme right hand position, which means that coin diverting arm 88 is out of coin diverting position, so that at any time during this last 12 minutes a fresh penny inserted in slot 25 will not be diverted but will pass down the normal coin chute 90 and result in setting the meter for the full 12 minute period.

But regardless of where the covers or flags are with respect to the time scales, a nickel deposited in slot 25 will result as before described in the dropping of the signals or flags to their lowermost positions, to disclose on the time scales the purchase of a 60 minute period, since nickels are never diverted. This is becausethe opening H0 is not sumciently large to permit the coin diverter 83 to divert a nickel therein, and also due to the fact that the spring 8i which biases coin diverter 88 to diverting position is of such dimension as to permit the biasing force thereof to be overcome by the force of a nickel travelling down the entrance portion of coin chute 80 so that the nickel pushes the diverter 88 out of its path down chute Passage of the penny below actuating lttooperatethemechanismandresetthem throughthechumacoindiverteraaociatedwith iortheiulloominuteperiodregardlessoithe thecoinchuteiordivertingthereiromonlythe timeatwhichthsnickelisinsertedinslotil,as coinoilowerdenominatimandmeansassocitedout. Thepennymicoursais atedwiththstimeperiodcontrolleriorpositionoiinsuilicientsiseandweighttopushdiverter" I ing said coin diverter in com diverting position outoiits path whenbiasedbyspringll into duringalipoeitionsoithetlmeintervalindicator diverting position and thus. as previousb exbeyond the shorter-oi the two-time periods and plained, at any time when the meter indicates positioningaaidcoindiverter out oi coin divertmorethanflminutes parkingtimeremainsa ingpoaitionduringtheshorteroithetwoperiods, deposited penny is diverted into chute I'll. said coin diverter including a spring pressed coin It is obvious that the purchase periodsmay be diverting arm constantly urged into coin divertvaried as desired to suit the requirement oi diiing position, and said last named means includierentcommimities;andthatwhileitisatpresingaoamarmoperablebythetimeperiodconentpreierredtodrivethismechanismbyaneight trolleriorcammingthecoindivertingarmout day clock, to be wound by the authorised colis oicoindivertingpoeitionduringtimeindication lector oi coins when he emptiu the coin boxes, by the indicator within the shorter oi the two otherclocksmaybeusedzandthatvariomother timeperiods. changesmaybemadeintheembodimentoithe 4.Inaparkingmeterorthelike,thecominvention here described without departing from blnation oi movable time interval indicator. coin the invention as deiined by the appended claims. so controlled mechanism ior setting saidindicator to What is claimed is: indicate either oi two diiierent time periods, said 1, In arkin meter or the like, the comblmmechanism being operable by either oi two coins, tion oi a movable time interval indicator, coin lfl i denomination an i meter. one ior controlled mechanism ior setting said indicatorto ml! time P ri B l meohlmsm lncludlnl l indicate either oi two diiierent time periods, said 25 coin chute and a time period controller ior said mechanism being operable by either oi two coins, in i t r ill- 8 m "W m m e Pr jecting oi diiierent denomination and diameter, one ior into said chute a distance within the diameter oi each time period, said mechanism including a the larger diameter coin only, a clock drive ior coin chute and a time period controller ior said said indicator controlled by said time period conindlcator having an actuating member projecting so troller, and a clock drive disconnector projectinto said chute a distance within the diameter oi ing into the coin chute and operable by passage oi the larger diametered coin only, a clock drive ior either oi the two coins through the chute, said said indicator controlled by said time period conclock drive having means ior moving said time troller, and a clock drive disconnector projecting interval indicator, said means including a limited into the coin chute and operable by passage of as arcuate series oi teeth, a clock driven pinion either oi the two coins through the chute. peripherally aligned therewith, and a connector 2. In a parking meter or the like, the combinagear associated with said teeth and said pinion tion of a movable time interval indicator, coin and movable into and out oi engagement therecontroiled mechanism ior setting said indicator with, said clock drive disconnector having cam to indicate either oi two dlil'erent time periods, 40 means associated with said connector gear ior said mechanism being operable by either oi two momentarily moving said connector gear out oi coins, of diiierent denomination and diameter, such engagement.

one for each time period, said mechanism includ- 5. In a parking meter or the like. the coming a coin chute and a time period controller ior blnation oi a movable time interval indicator, coin said indicator having an actuating member pro- 45 controlled mechanism ior setting said indicator to .iecting into said chute a distance within the diindicate either oi two diiierent time periods, said ameter oi the larger diametered coin only, a clock mechanism being operable by either oi two coins, drive ior said indicator controlled by said time oi diiierent denomination and diameter, one ior period controller, a clock drive disconnector proeach time period, said mechanism including a i jecting into the coin chute and operable by pasto coin chute and a time period controller ior said sage oi either oi the two coins through the chute, indicator having an actuating member projecting a coin diverter associated with the coin chute ior into said chute a distance within the diameter oi diverting thereirom only the coin oi lower dethe larger diametered coin only, a clock drive ior nomination, and means associated with the time said indicator controlled by said time period conperiod controller ior positioning said coin diverter s5 troller, a clock riv i nn p jectin in in coin diverting position during all pomtions oi the coin chute and operable by passage oi either the time interval indicator beyond the shorter oi oi the two coins therethrough, a coin support ior the two time periods and positioning said coin holding a coin in visible position within the diverter out oi coin diverting position during the meter, and means operable by the clock drive disshorter oi the two periods. 00 connector ior releasing a coin irom said support.

3. In a parking meter or the like, the com- 6. In a parkin meter or the like. the combination oi a movable tim interval i di at blnation oi a movable time interval indicator, coin controlled mechanism ior setting said indiin c ntroll d anism i s t n said incator to indicate either oi two diflerent time dicator to indicate either oi two diil'erent time periods, said mechanism being operable by either 66 p rio i mechanism b61118 p l y h r oi two coins, oi diflerent denomination and diof wo ns, f dlflerent n min tion nd diameter, one ior each time eriod, said mechanism smet r. n for each ti p sa d mechaincluding a coin chute and a time period connism in l in 00in Chute and a i P i troller for said indicator having an actuating controller ior said indicator having an actuating member projecting into said chute a distanc 70 member projecting into said chute a distance within the diameter oi the larger diametered coin within the diameter oi the larger dlsmetered coin only, a clock drive ior said indicator controlled onlin. a clock drive for said indicator controlled by said time period controller, a clock drive disby said time period controller, a clock drive disconnector projecting into the coin chute and connector projecting into the coin chute and opoperable by passage oi either of the two coins 7| erable by passage oi either oi the two coins therethrough, a coin support for holding a coin in visible position within the meter, and means operable by the clock drive disconnector for releasing a coinirom said support, said coin support having a coin actuated cam end movable'by a coin leaving said support for urging the clock drive disconnector toward disconnecting position.

7. In a parking meter or the like, the combination of a clock driven movable time interval indicator, coin controlled mechanism for setting said indicator to indicate either of two different time periods, said mechanism being operable by either 01 two coins, of diil'erent denomination and diameter, one ior each time period, said mechanism including a coin chute and a time period controller for said indicator having an actuating member projecting into said chute a distance within the diameter 01' the larger diametered coin only, a clock drive for said indicator controlled by said time period controller, a clock drive disconnector projecting into the coin chute and operable by passage 01' either of the two coins therethrough, said disconnector having cam means for disconnecting the clock drive, said cam means having a locking shoulder for normally and positively maintaining continuance of the clock drive.

8. A parking meter or the like comprising the combination of a clock driven movable time interval indicator, coin controlled mechanism for setting said indicator to indicate either of two diiierent time periods, said mechanism being operable by either of two coins, of diflerent denomination and diameter, one for each time period, said coin controlled mechanism including a coin chute and a time period controller for said time interval indicator having an actuating member projecting into said chute a distance within the diameter of the larger diametered coin only, a clock drive for said indicator controlled by said time period controller, and a clock drive disconnector rprojecting into the coin chute and operable by passage 01' either of the two coins through the chute, said time period controller having an indicator movement limiting stop for confining said indicator setting to the shorter time period, said actuating member projecting into the coin chute being operable by the coin of larger denominatlon (or moving said stop out of its shorter time period limiting position.

9. A parking'meter or the like comprising the combination of a movable time interval indicator, coin controlled mechanism for setting said indicator to indicate either of two diilerent time periods, said mechanism being operable by either oi two coins, oi different denomination and diameter, one for each time period, said mechanism including a coin chute and a time period controller for said indicator having an actuating member projecting into'said chute a distance within the diameter of the larger diametered coin only, a clock drive for said indicator controlled by said time period controller, and a clock drive disconnector projecting into the coin chute and operable by passage of either or the two coins through the chute, said time period controller having an indicator-movement limiting stop for confining the indicator setting to the shorter time period, said actuating member projecting into the coin chute being operable by the coin larger denomination for moving said stop out of its limiting position. said time period controller havingmeansassociatedtherewithiorholding said stop out 0! limiting position during setting oi the indicator to indicate the longer of the two time periods.

10. In a parkingmeter or the like, the combination of a clock driven time indicator movable to either of two starting positions, a coin chute, coin controlled mechanism for moving said indicator to one or the other of said two startin positions, said coin controlled mechanism being operable by either of two coins, of difierent denomination and diameter, one. for each starting position, and a time eriod indicator setting controller having an actuator extending into said coin chute within the diameter of the larger diametered coin only.

11. In a parking meter or the like, the combination of a clock driven time indicator movable to either-o! two diiIerent period starting pomtions, a coin chute, coin controlled mechanism for causing said indicator to drop by gravity to one or the other of said two positions, said coin controlled mechanism being operable by either oi. two coins, of diflerent denomination and diameter, one for each starting period position, a time period indicator setting controller having an actuator extending into said coin chute within the diameter or the larger diametered coin onLv, and an indicator drop limiting stop for arresting the dropping of said indicator at a point intermediate the ends of its path of travel, and movable by larger diametered coin operation of said actuator out of indicator drop limiting position.

12. In a parking meter or the like, the combination of a movable time interval indicator, and a coin controlled mechanism for setting said indicator to indicate either of two diiIerent time periods, said coin controlled mechanism being operable by either of two coins, of diii'erent denomination and diameter, one for each time period, said mechanism including a coin chute and a time period controller for said indicator having a coin actuated member projecting into said chute a distancewithinthe diameter of the largerdiametered coin only, a clock drive connectable to said time interval indicator and controlled by said time period controller, and a clock drive disconnector projecting into the coin chute and operable by passage of either of the two coins through the chute.

13. A parking meter comprising in combination, a clock drive and a clock driven element, a connector between said drive and driven ele ment, an indicator, means to bias said indicator to an initial starting position, a connection between said driven element and said indicator to move said indicator from its initial starting position to a final position, a coin chute. a clock drive disoonnector projecting into the said coin chute a pted to be momentarily actuated by any coin passing through said slot to permit the indicator to move to its initial position: stop means meeting with the said clock driven element to limit the movement 0! the said indicator to a position short of its initial starting osition and a controller ior positioning said stop means projecting into said coin chute within the diameter 0! a -largeroitwocoinspassingthroughsaidchuteto coin passing said chute.

IUGINI mm. 

